Mothers Your Stories

Read stories from women undertaking the tough and rewarding role of motherhood, while regaining bladder control.

It can happen to anyone in a split second

In 1994 I was 34 and a single Mum of two and my career in nursing was looking good. However, one day I found myself pined beneath a patient. That split second resulted in two bulging spinal discs.

The urine incontinence started as just like tiny bubbles bursting. A few at first but over time the bubbles got bigger and more often. I had never had any problems before. Not with laughing or coughing or even sport.

When the discs burst things got even worse as the bubbles of air and urine got larger and more often. This continued till one day in 2000 my bladder just released onto the floor. I had crushed three nerve roots and cord but luckily after a operation I still could walk, but I had no feeling from waist to toe. No feeling inside either.

Also now scar tissue is touching the nerve roots and with a burst of pain it releases urine. The bubbles now feel like a rush and sometimes like passing wind continuously. It feels so funny heheh.

I take medication but only helps with urgency as too much medication drys me out and causes more problems you would not believe. Fecal incontinence is a problem now as with no control of my right muscles inside to hold back diarrhea and not being able to push out this leads to compaction. Its hard to find a balance.

I found Depend and Poise to be the only products that fit nicely under my clothes when I go out and they take away the odour, as we all know what that is like. Also the products do not bulge between the legs which is horrible. When you are in bed ridden for a long time with pain, nothing is worse to find the padding from other products has shifted and allowed urine etc leaked out.

So I will say two things:

1. Be so careful when lifting anything and never cut corners as freak accidents do happen.
2. Give Poise products a try as you will be extremely satisfied. I have tried them all from liners to now pants from the Depend range, and I am extremely happy. I can now go out without worrying the product will fail.

Thanks for listening.